I just started school and work at the same day a month or so ago, and since then I've been sooo hungry and tired after work. Also when I'm at work running around the store all day, sometimes I get really dizzy and get hot all of a sudden. I'm not sure whats going on, any ideas?
I wanted to start working out again. But I get so tired the first few days and just want to sleep. Then once that passses, I get soooo hungry and eat everything in sight. Of course being in college, I'm trying to save money so I can't afford too much. Are there any cheap vegan foods that I can buy a lot of? I tried the amy's kitchen dinners....but those were gone within a few days.lol
Thanks,
Carrie
:hungry:

If you're trying to save money, don't buy frozen dinners. There are a lot of threads around here on dorm food, etc. It really all boils down to what kind of cooking supplies you have (are you in a dorm, etc.?) I'd suggest crockpot foods.... flip it on in the AM, and dinner is ready the minute you get home.

I can't be sure if this is your problem, but I just feel so much better when I eat very little white sugar and white flour. Sugar makes me feel very ill and flushed. I need complexed carbs and proteins like beans and nuts to mellow me out or my energy levels are all over the place.

For sure don't depend on Amy's, it's expensive! $2.50 for a buritto, yikes!
Of course it is organic so that costs more to produce...

I know how you feel...
I know that I will eventually go totally veggie maybe vegan, but I think I need a bit of help with giving up all these foods, because at this point I don't know if I can do it on my own, with no help or a support system...

I mean being here at the boards has helped a lot, but I am still worried about going totally meatless, it's really just too shocking to me yet...
Maybe if I can ever meet the right man, we can do it together...:)

And cooking seperate meals for myself is making my parents go nuts as well...
This will be a long road for me, I realize that now...
Oh, and the fact that I really think legumes are a problem for me...
That is not helping with finding good subs, either...
So I think cutting down slowly is the way to go...

I think I am just jumping in a bit too fast for my own good...
I know that may sicken some of you, and I am deeply sorry for that...
I have an awful lot on my mind, so not getting the nutrition I need scares
me a bit...

But I am trying, that's all I know! And kudos to you, veganism is even harder!
Oh, and carried, I hope you find the help you need to find something suitable to eat!

I agree with Anodekraft, combine those proteins and complex carbs and you'll do much better. I was always hungry when I was 'college age' (I didn't actually go to a 4 year school til I was 25) and I could eat massive amounts of food, and be hungry 2 hours later.

•Always carry bananas around with you and a peanut butter sandwich, that'll fill you up and give you energy. A bag of mixed nuts is good to have, too.
•Bean burritos are real easy to make yourself, if you have a way of cooking beans. Brown rice and avacados with it will certainly pep you up and make you full.
•Avacados combined with a protien will give you excellent energy for hours. Chop up a half of an avacado and put it on a veggie burger with some tomato, or eat it with some hummous and sprouts in a pita.
•Stay away from white flour items. It has no vitamins and does nothing for you. Eat whole wheat breads.
•Are you taking multi vitamins and B-complex? I got dizzy spells a while back, and realized it was because I'd forgotten to take vitamins many days in a row. Keep up on the multi's. Iron, too. That's real important for women.

jwnyc had great suggestions, just keep snacks around you all of the time so that you're never starving.

Try to always have a bit of carb, protein and fat with each meal or mini meal. The combination seems to keep you full longer. The bean burrito on a whole wheat tortilla with salsa and avocado would be perfect for this, and burritos are very portable. Try to find those Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas if you can. They are delicious and made entirely of whole, sprouted grains which will provide you with energy and keep you full longer.

If you're a heavy coffee drinker, this can affect how you feel too. Caffeine can really screw up your inner thermometer and hunger meter.

You sound a lot like I did in college. I was in school full time at working atleast two jobs at any given time. So I found I would not eat for hours at a time and I learned that was really bad for my system. I am hypoglycemic so I get a reaction when my blood sugar gets low. So like everyone mentioned eat lots of snacks-I started carrying nuts and granola bars and fruit with me all the time so I could eat while walking from one place to the other. That will make it easier not to eat so much at the end of the day. What I would suggest for cheap food would depend on whether you live in a house or a dorm. If you are in a house its like the rest of us...but basics and do it in bulk. People have already given lots of good ideas.

Chuh! Avocados are mad expensive. I'm in college. Avocado's are that special treat you get when you go home to mom's house over the summer.

Peanut butter is your ally. You can spread it on crackers or rice cakes for a quick pick me up, fruit too... Classic sandwiches, or over bagels and pasta.

I have to add... Taco Bell can be a lifesaver. Bean burrito for 79 cents? Score!

And what do all college kids live off of? Ramen! Top Ramen oriental is vegan. Maruchan is not. Heh. I was happy to finally make the distinction.

Okay, the staples in my dorm:
A jar of peanut butter.
A *few* microwave burritos. (But I can get them for a buck and some change here)
Couple boxes of pasta. Sometimes I have pasta sauce around. Sometimes I just get creative and top it with peanut butter or salad dressing or something.
At least one box of cookies and a box of unfrosted poptarts.

Then periodically I will pick up:

Cans of veggie chili, and chips
Bananas or other fruit
Loaf of bread when I'm feeling a need for sandwiches coming up.
The occasional hummus and pita splurge (generally when mom comes to town with grocery money.)

Oh, and pints of soy ice cream. I tend to treat myself, in that respect.

:hug: :wayne:
Thank you for all the help....this is a really nice message board :D
I'll try all of the suggestions, but pop tarts have gelatin in them, don't they? Are there any that don't? I still live at home with the parents, so I have access to all the cooking stuff. Taco Bell is wonderful for bean burritos, thats what I've been living on the last few days. I do drink tons of soda which is horrible, I know. But since I'm tired constantly and would be happy falling asleep on the floor at work, I don't have a choice. lol
I used to take iron vitamins, but I just stopped....so that is probably why all of this is happening. The amy's tv food was on sale for like a dollar at the store, so thats why i tried to stock up on it.
Anywho, thanks again for all the help and I will try it.
Carrie

P.S- I can't find any vegan ramen here in Texas....its either beef, chicken or shrimp :-/

There is a tomato flavored ramen made by maruchan (sp?)
I haven't checked the ingredients yet, but it might be suitable...
If you live in Texas, that's good, I saw it at H.E.B, surely you have one...
My H.E.B, doesn't have hardly any vegan stuff, not even tofutti or amys...
If you get some of the ramen and it's good, please let me know...
Or I can check the ingredients next time I go, and see what it says, and
I will make a post...I just luv ramen! :lick:
Fantastic foods makes a un chicken soup, but I doubt it's vegan or any good...
I tried the tomato noodles, and they are nasty to me...

Top Ramen Oriental flavor is vegetarian. Do you have that brand available? And I'm pretty sure that unfrosted Pop Tarts don't have gelatin (not a 100% sure, though.)

Top Ramen Oriental flavor is vegetarian. Do you have that brand available? And I'm pretty sure that unfrosted Pop Tarts don't have gelatin (not a 100% sure, though.)

I'm a little afraid the try the oriental flavor ramen....but I did hear that there is a mushroom or spicy vegetable flavor though. Of course its nowhere to be found. Even the unfrosted pop tarts have gelatin...I think its the gooey stuff inside that has it.There is an HEB here, but there isn't one close by.Central Market is apart of HEB, its kinda like Whole Foods...but they didn't have any of the ramen there either.
I'm training to be a vegan chef...so once that starts I'll never be hungry again :D
Carrie
Thanks for all the help :)

Central Market didn't have it?
That's a bummer, they are such a big store...
The Oriental flavor is vegan?
I find that a bit suspicious for some reason...
But if it is, that's awesome!

i would try making juices and smoothies. It's very easy to have a juicer or a strong blender in a dorm room and make enough of said smoothie to last you a very long time. YOu can often take them to work too, as well as the necessary fruits, veggies, and protien powders (or nut butters and tofu or soy milk which is what i use).

THis often costs a lot less than buying processed foods, and it is very tastey and good for you. It's a great way to get your necessary nutrients. I particularly like to make berry, banana, apple, and pineapple smoothes (with a bit of silky tofu or soy milk). i blend all the fruit with the tofu or soy milk--it's so tastey!

also, you can buy any ramen and simply use the noodles. the noodles are usually vegetarian or vegan--you don't have to use the spice packets (which is where the animal products are). Use MISO, mixed frozen veggies, and the noodles and you have a great meal!

good luck!

I would venture to say that you are probably over tired and need sleep. Spending 6-8 hours working THEN studying, I would probably guess you are going to bed REAL late and getting up super early. Lack of sleep can cause all kinds of health problems. Keep a supply of nuts, trailmix (make it yourself it's cheaper) or fruit with you. Also, make yourself eat breakfast (even if it is just a muffin or bagel) and nibble on something every couple of hours. This should keep your energy up and hopefully you won't want to chow everything in sight. ;) I also suggest a good multivitamin.

PS Frosted pop tarts have gelatin the unfrosted DO NOT. Regardless, they are expensive, void of nutrients and have way too much sugar. :spew:


.

Actually the Fantastic Foods stuff is usually pretty good so that un-chicken soup might be tasty, plus they often sell their stuff in bulk.

Check out the the bulk bins at your market for stuff that you just need to add water to. I buy falafel mix, corn soup, dehydrated bean flakes (black and refired pinto), and veggie burger mix. All simply require that water be added. The falafel is the only tricky one, but if you have a hot plate you could pan fry them. All of the mixes are vegan, they are very cheap, they take up very little storage space, and they're tasty.

Central Market didn't have it?
That's a bummer, they are such a big store...
The Oriental flavor is vegan?
I find that a bit suspicious for some reason...
But if it is, that's awesome!

http://www.nissinfoods.com/faq.htm

According to their FAQ, the Oriental flavor has no animal products.

http://www.nissinfoods.com/faq.htm

According to their FAQ, the Oriental flavor has no animal products.

Thats weird...I thought the spicy vegetable flavor would be vegetarian. I guess I'll have to try the orential flavor.

Central Market didn't have it?
That's a bummer, they are such a big store...
The Oriental flavor is vegan?
I find that a bit suspicious for some reason...
But if it is, that's awesome!

Nope, Central Market didn't have it. But they had some kind that was baked and not fried. But that was like $1.50 for one. I'm going shopping tomorrow, I'll try to find some granola and stuff like that. I'm having an hard time giving up the dr.pepper...i love it :smitten:

i would try making juices and smoothies. It's very easy to have a juicer or a strong blender in a dorm room and make enough of said smoothie to last you a very long time. YOu can often take them to work too, as well as the necessary fruits, veggies, and protien powders (or nut butters and tofu or soy milk which is what i use).

THis often costs a lot less than buying processed foods, and it is very tastey and good for you. It's a great way to get your necessary nutrients. I particularly like to make berry, banana, apple, and pineapple smoothes (with a bit of silky tofu or soy milk). i blend all the fruit with the tofu or soy milk--it's so tastey!

also, you can buy any ramen and simply use the noodles. the noodles are usually vegetarian or vegan--you don't have to use the spice packets (which is where the animal products are). Use MISO, mixed frozen veggies, and the noodles and you have a great meal!

good luck!
Thank you, that is very helpful. But I need to get a new blender, mine died on me...what is MISO?

Miso is type of salty japanese fermented bean paste, it comes in different varieties, namely red which is stronger I think, and white....

There are also korean versions which are much more potent, IMO...

Miso is very nutritious (lots of B vatimins) from what I know, and delicious
if you make it into miso soup...

Soft tofu and some spinach (and or cabbage) and mushrooms would be fabulous in a miso soup...:lick:

You would do a lot better just to get the instant kind of miso soup for the dorm tho...

No no. Unfrosted poptarts are vegan. The gelatin is in the frosting.

No no. Unfrosted poptarts are vegan. The gelatin is in the frosting.
Really??? Thats cool...

I'm a little afraid the try the oriental flavor ramen....

I'm a wee bit of a ramen connoisseur (time spent in SE Asia) and the Top Ramen Oriental flavor is perfectly delicious. (Er, unless the reason you're afraid to try it is because of vegan concerns??)

In my opinion, the 2 secrets to great ramen are sesame oil and powdered red pepper. In Indonesia the ramen actually comes with a packet of oil and a packet of chiles, in addition to the seasoning. The sesame oil, especially, gives it a "certain something." And you can keep it without refridgeration.